Sunday, June 14, 2015

Dial Daily Bread: "In the Days of Our Youth"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Decisions that youth make in their mid-teens are often decisive for life (and for eternity!). Jesus was visiting Jerusalem at the age of 12 to watch the Passover. He had questions, but no one could answer them. Finally it dawned on Him--animal blood could never wash away one human sin; someone innocent must become "the Lamb of God." He decided then to be "about My Father's business," which meant He must become the world's "Lamb of God" (Luke 2:49). It means--the age of 12 is very important for anyone.

"In the days of [our] youth" we too can "remember [our] Creator" which means we shall never forget Him even when terrific temptations later assail us (Eccl. 12:1). God Himself, our Creator, created the age of 12 and gave this gift to us. It's when we can think clearly and make rapid decisions for right or wrong because we can feel deeply. God Himself respects the choices we make at the age of 12, yes, and holds us accountable.

Some think that it was about that age when David wrote Psalm 23 and composed music for it (Mozart and Mendelssohn were writing fantastic music at that age). Teenage devotion trained David for that sudden decision to confront Goliath. Perhaps even younger, Jeremiah chose to say "Yes" to God's call to an important prophetic mission.

It was in his teenage years that Esau thought family worship and church were boring and chose to pursue the more exciting pleasures of his day. It wasn't long until he ended up "despising" his family "birthright," and sold it for bread and some lentil stew. He probably didn't consider all that it meant.